According to Ukrinform, the holiday was established “to honor the centuries-old history of Ukrainian state-building, the state symbols of independent Ukraine, and to foster citizens’ respect for Ukraine’s state symbols,” pursuant to a presidential decree dated August 23, 2004. In 2009, the decree was amended to establish an annual official ceremony to raise the National Flag on August 23 throughout Ukraine.

The blue-and-yellow colors have a long history in Ukrainian symbolism. They became established as a national symbol in the 19th century. During the European revolutions of 1848, known as the “Spring of Nations,” the blue-and-yellow banner became the flag of the Ukrainian national movement. In June 1848, it was raised for the first time over the Lviv City Hall.

The blue-and-yellow flag became a state symbol with the proclamation of the Ukrainian People’s Republic. During the Soviet period, the use of the Ukrainian national flag was persecuted, while the blue-and-yellow banner became one of the symbols of resistance to the Soviet system.

In modern times, the national blue-and-yellow flag was officially raised for the first time over the Stryi City Council building on March 14, 1990. In Kyiv, the flag was raised over the City Council building on July 24, 1990.

On August 23, 1991, on the eve of the proclamation of independence, a group of members of parliament brought the blue-and-yellow flag into the Verkhovna Rada chamber. Following the proclamation of Ukraine’s independence on August 24, it was ceremonially raised over the parliament building on September 4.

The blue-and-yellow flag became one of the main symbols of the restoration of Ukrainian independence and, following the start of Russian aggression, a symbol of struggle and resistance. Ukrainian military personnel have raised it in territories liberated from Russian forces, while Ukrainian flags have become one of the most recognizable symbols of Ukrainian resistance around the world.

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykhailo Drapatyi congratulated Ukrainians on National Flag Day.

“We unite around the flag and keep it flying where it is difficult. We raise it in liberated territories. It is on our uniforms and in our hearts. Thanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the blue-and-yellow flag is a symbol of struggle, resilience, and freedom for the world,” the commander-in-chief said.

“We will do everything in our power to ensure that this banner becomes the flag of Victory,” he emphasized.

As previously reported by Ukrinform, on August 24, Ukraine will mark the 35th anniversary of the proclamation of independence.

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